CN204360323U - For enabling the control circuit of the connection of primary power, computing system and device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to control circuits, computing systems and devices for enabling connection of main power. The control circuit for enabling the connection of the main power supply includes a signal detector configured to compare the output of the standby power supply to a signal threshold, wherein the signal threshold is based on a divided voltage electrically coupled to the main power supply and a switch electrically coupled between the main power supply and the load, wherein the switch is configured to close when the output of the main power supply is greater than or equal to the signal threshold.

Description

Control circuit, computing system and apparatus for enabling connection of mains power

technical field

The described embodiments generally relate to efficiently using multiple power sources in a computing device. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to a control scheme for turning on power based on an external load coupled to a computing device during a standby or sleep mode of the computing device.

Background technique

Computing devices, such as desktop or laptop computers, may in some cases use their respective power sources inefficiently. When the desktop is idle, the power supply may be configured to continue to run the internal power supply, causing the power supply to consume power inefficiently despite the relative inactivity of the desktop. Additionally, when the external device is connected to the desktop, the external device may require minimal power to function properly. If the desktop is running in a lower power state without the ability to boost power, the device will malfunction and in some cases data will be lost due to lack of power. Also, if the device draws more current than the desktop expects, the desktop could malfunction or otherwise shut down.

Utility model content

Embodiments discussed herein relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for enabling one or more power supplies to assist standby power based on a load connected to a computing device during a sleep or standby power mode. In some embodiments, a control circuit for enabling connection of mains power is presented. The control circuit may include a signal detector configured to compare the output of the standby power supply to a signal threshold. The signal threshold is based on the output of a voltage divider electrically coupled to the main power supply. The control circuit may further include a switch electrically coupled between the main power source and the load. The switch may be configured to close when the output of the main power supply is greater than or equal to the signal threshold.

In other embodiments, a computing system is presented. The computing system may include a standby power supply electrically coupled to a sensor configured to measure an output from the standby power supply during the standby mode of the computing system. The computing system can further include a controller electrically coupled to the sensor. The controller may be configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor when the output reaches or exceeds an output threshold and enable the main power supply to power a load removably attached to the computing system.

In some other embodiments, a machine-readable non-transitory storage medium is presented. The storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by a processor included in the computing device, may cause the computing device to perform steps comprising: supplying power from a standby power source to a load external to the computing device when the computing device is in a standby power supply mode . Additionally, the steps may include closing a switch configured to provide a conductive path between the main power supply and the load when the output of the main power supply reaches or exceeds an output threshold.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a control circuit for enabling connection of main power, the control circuit comprising: a signal detector configured to compare the output of the standby power with a signal threshold, wherein, The signal threshold is based on an output of a voltage divider electrically coupled to the mains supply; and a switch electrically coupled between the mains supply and the load, wherein the switch is configured to be greater than or equal to the signal at the output of the mains supply closed at the threshold.

According to one embodiment, the voltage divider is configured to reduce the output of the main power supply and provide the reduced output to a comparator of the signal detector.

According to one embodiment, the standby power supply and the main power supply are configured to simultaneously supply power to the load when the switch is closed.

According to one embodiment, the control circuit further includes a sensor electrically coupled to the output of the standby power supply, wherein the sensor is configured to output a sensor signal when the output of the standby power supply reaches or exceeds a sensor threshold.

According to one embodiment, the control circuit further includes a system controller configured to receive the sensor signal and provide an enable signal to the main power supply to activate the main power supply.

According to one embodiment, the main power supply is configured to run at a higher power than the standby power supply.

According to one embodiment, the main power supply is configured to power another load electrically coupled to the main power supply before the switch is closed.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computing system comprising: a standby power supply electrically coupled to a sensor configured to measure an output from the standby power supply during a standby mode of the computing system; and a control the controller, the controller is electrically coupled to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor when the output reaches or exceeds an output threshold, and to enable main power supply to the movable ground to supply power to the load attached to the computing system.

According to one embodiment, said output is a current output and said output threshold is a current threshold representing a peak current of the standby power supply.

According to one embodiment, the computing system further includes a signal detector, wherein enabling the main power supply causes the signal detector to close a switch electrically coupled between the main power supply and the load.

According to one embodiment, the controller is configured to determine whether the load is a memory device, and to provide an enable signal to the main power supply when the memory device has a capacity equal to or greater than a memory threshold accessible to the controller .

According to one embodiment, the controller is configured to determine whether the load is one or more human interface devices and to send a message to the host when the total number of human interface devices reaches or exceeds a threshold total number accessible to the controller. The power supply provides an enable signal.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented apparatus for enabling a connection of mains power, the apparatus comprising: means for supplying power from a standby power source to a load external to the computing device; and for closing a switch The switch is configured to provide a conductive path between the main power supply and the load when the output of the main power supply reaches or exceeds an output threshold and the standby power supply is simultaneously supplying power to the load.

According to one embodiment, the computer-implemented apparatus is configured to operate at least in the normal power supply mode, and the computer-implemented apparatus consumes less power in the standby power supply mode than in the normal power supply mode.

According to one embodiment, said output threshold is defined by a voltage divider circuit and a detector electrically coupled to the main power supply.

According to one embodiment, the computer-implemented apparatus further comprises: means for receiving a sensor output when the current output of the standby power supply has reached or exceeded a current threshold; and means for switching a switch based on the sensor output.

According to one embodiment, the computer-implemented apparatus further comprises means for receiving user input and transitioning out of the standby power mode when the load is powered from both main power and standby power.

According to one embodiment, the computer-implemented apparatus further comprises means for determining a memory size of the load, and switching a switch when the memory size is equal to or greater than a memory size threshold.

According to one embodiment, the computer-implemented apparatus further comprises means for opening the switch when the output of the main power supply falls below an output threshold.

According to one embodiment, the output threshold is less than or equal to the operating voltage of the standby power supply.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the described embodiments.

Description of drawings

The present disclosure will be readily understood with the aid of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like structural elements.

Figure 1 shows a system diagram for intelligently switching on or off the mains power supply based on the energy requirements of the load.

2 illustrates a system for intelligently switching between power sources of a computing device based on signals measured between load and standby power.

3 illustrates a system for intelligently switching between at least three power sources for a computing device based on loads connected to the computing device.

4 illustrates a method for intelligently switching on a power source to power a load connected to a computing device during a standby power mode.

Figure 5 illustrates a method for powering an external load from one or more power sources based on the current demanded by the external load.

6 illustrates a method for powering an external load from one or more power sources based on whether a memory device or a human interface device is connected to a computing device in a standby power mode.

7 illustrates a system for determining defects in an assembly based on measurements made at one or more bus bars of a computing device.

8 illustrates a method for determining whether a computing device is improperly assembled based on measurements taken at one or more bus bars.

9 is a block diagram of a computing device that may represent components of a computing device or a system management controller as discussed herein.

Detailed ways

Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications or equivalents, which may be included within the spirit or scope of the described embodiments as defined by the claims.

Embodiments discussed herein relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for transitioning between power modes of a computing device in order to reduce power consumption. To efficiently transition between power modes to reduce power consumption, multiple power supplies are deployed within a computing device. Power can be enabled or disabled based on different operating characteristics of the computing device at a given time. Such operating characteristics may correspond to power requirements necessary to efficiently power external devices connected to the computing device. For example, one of the plurality of power supplies may be a standby power supply configured to operate during a power supply mode corresponding to when the computing device is idle and requires a minimal amount of current or voltage. A primary power supply may be configured within a computing device to provide current when the computing device is not idle or otherwise requires a greater amount of current or voltage than the standby power supply is designed to handle. While this arrangement of multiple power supplies is useful, the execution of transitions between power supply modes can ultimately determine whether the arrangement results in more efficient power usage. For example, the computing device may not be configured to switch power modes if an external device is connected to the computing device while the computing device is in sleep mode. As a result, external devices may be forced to rely exclusively on the standby power and cause the standby power to fail or otherwise shut down due to the burden from the external devices and the computing device. Therefore, transitioning between power modes is absolutely necessary to improve the energy efficiency of computing devices.

In some embodiments discussed herein, a dynamic switching system for switching between power modes is presented. The switching system may determine whether non-standby power has been turned on, or whether an output current threshold has been exceeded as a result of an external device being plugged into the computing device. If it is determined that the non-standby power is on, the detection circuit may close a switch between the non-standby power and the external device. In this way, the standby power supply will not be overloaded by the external device since the non-standby power supply will be able to provide additional power to the external device at the same time. If the switching system determines that the output current threshold has been exceeded, the switching system may send a sensor signal to a system management controller of the computing device to turn on the non-standby power. By turning on the non-standby power supply, the non-standby power supply will be able to provide additional current to external devices, thereby relieving the current required from the standby power supply.

In order for the switching system to make determinations regarding the operation of the standby power supply and the non-standby power supply, the system may include detection circuitry. The detection circuit may be configured to compare the respective voltage outputs of the standby power supply and the non-standby power supply. In some embodiments, a detector or comparator circuit is used in conjunction with a voltage divider circuit to perform the comparison. The voltage divider circuit operates to reduce the output voltage of the non-standby power supply to the comparator circuit. For example, the output voltage may be reduced such that the comparator will switch logic states when the reduced voltage output of the non-standby power supply approaches a voltage equal to the standby voltage. However, the voltage divider can be modified so that the comparator switches logic states according to any other suitable voltage value that is greater than or less than the operating voltage of the standby power supply.

The switching system may also include switching circuitry responsive to one or more outputs from the detection circuitry. A switching circuit may receive an output signal from the comparator and determine whether to close or open a connection between the non-standby power supply and the external device. In this way, when the switching circuit is open, external devices can be powered by the standby power supply, as long as the comparator circuit is not outputting a signal indicative of increased activity or output from a non-standby power supply. However, if an external device requires additional power that cannot be effectively provided by the standby power supply, the switching circuit can be closed based on the output of the comparator circuit or the output of a current or voltage sensor. A current or voltage sensor may be electrically coupled to the switching circuit to implement a current or voltage threshold on the input to the external device. The sensor may be configured to cause the system management controller to enable the non-standby power when a current or voltage threshold is exceeded. As a result, when the current or voltage threshold is exceeded and the non-standby power is turned on, the comparator circuit will output a logic signal indicating that the non-standby power is on. Thereafter, the switching circuit will be closed, thus enabling the non-standby power supply to assist the standby power supply in providing power.

The switching circuit can also be closed based on a signal generated by software running at the computing device or by an external device. For example, when the external device includes a memory, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) hard drive, the software of the external device or computing device may cause the non-standby power to be on and the switching circuit to be closed in order to avoid brownout at the memory . This can be performed based on the size of the memory or the minimum voltage or current required by the external device to avoid voltage drops. Additionally, software can determine if the external device is a bus-powered device (eg, a Human Interface Device (HID)) that will require power from a non-standby power source. In response, the software may cause the non-standby power to be turned on or off depending on the type of external device plugged in when only the standby power is running.

Other embodiments discussed herein relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting improper assembly of a computing device. To detect improper assembly, measurements of voltage or current may be taken at a plurality of bus bars of a computing device to which one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) are connected. Certain areas, such as bus bars, can experience high impedance when the computing device is not properly assembled. As a result of the high impedance, insufficient voltage output is provided to the PCB, which will be detected according to the embodiments discussed herein. The voltage output can be tracked over time and periodically sampled using a tracking system in order to distinguish changes in the voltage output from noise that naturally arises during normal operation of the computing device. If the tracking system determines that the voltage output of the bus bar is affected by an assembly problem, the tracking system may cause the computing device to shut down or sleep portions of the computing device. Additionally, in some embodiments, the computing device may display an alert message when the user wakes the computing device from a sleep or idle state. In this manner, the user may be directed to restore the computing device according to the warning message.

Other embodiments discussed herein relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting improper assembly of a computing device. To detect improper assembly, measurements of voltage or current may be taken at a plurality of bus bars of a computing device to which one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) are connected. Certain electrical components, such as bus bars, can have impedances that exceed their respective design specifications when the computing device is not properly assembled. As a result of the high impedance, insufficient voltage output is provided to the load, which will be detected according to embodiments discussed herein. The voltage output can be tracked over time and periodically sampled using a tracking system in order to distinguish changes in the voltage output from noise that naturally arises during normal operation of the computing device. If the tracking system determines that the voltage output of the bus bar is affected by an assembly problem, the tracking system may cause the computing device to shut down or sleep portions of the computing device. Additionally, in some embodiments, the computing device may display an alert message when the user wakes the computing device from a sleep or idle state. In this manner, the user may be directed to restore the computing device according to the warning message.

FIG. 1 shows a system diagram 100 for intelligently switching on or off a main power source 106 based on the energy requirements of an external load 116 . Computing device 102 may be any suitable computing device 102 capable of powering external load 116 , such as an accessory or auxiliary device. Computing device 102 may thus be a desktop computer, laptop computer, workstation computer, cellular telephone, media player, or any other suitable computing device 102 . External load 116 may be any device or component capable of being powered from computing device 102 . External load 116 may be a load that requires varying amounts of energy to operate. For example, external load 116 may be a device that requires a small amount of power (eg, less than or equal to 5 volts) to operate. External load 116 may also be a device that requires a large amount of power (eg, greater than 5 volts) to operate. In some embodiments, external load 116 may be a plurality of devices electrically coupled to computing device 102 . Computing device 102 supplies power to external load 116 using main power supply 106 and/or standby power supply 108 . It should be noted, however, that in some embodiments, additional power supplies may be provided without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The standby power supply 108 may be configured to continuously supply power to the external load 116 and the main power supply 106 may be configured to supply power to the external load 116 only when the switch 110 is closed. Alternatively, the standby power source 108 may be disabled while the main power source 106 is supplying power to the external load 116 . In some embodiments, external load 116 may vary the amount of energy required to operate external load 116 . Specifically, external load 116 may transition from a power level that may be powered by standby power supply 108 to a power level that is higher than that of standby power supply 108 . As a result, switch 110 may be activated, thereby enabling main power source 106 to supply power to external load 116 .

FIG. 1 shows a system diagram 100 for intelligently switching on or off a main power source 106 based on the energy requirements of an external load 116 . Computing device 102 may be any suitable computing device 102 capable of powering external load 116 , such as an accessory or auxiliary device. Computing device 102 may thus be a desktop computer, laptop computer, workstation computer, cellular telephone, media player, or any other suitable computing device 102 . External load 116 may be any device or component capable of being powered from computing device 102 . External loads 116 may be loads that require varying amounts of energy or power to operate. For example, external load 116 may be a device that requires a small amount of power (e.g., less than or equal to 5 watts) to operate. External load 116 may also be a device that requires a significant amount of power (eg, greater than 5 watts, possibly several hundred watts) to operate. In some embodiments, external load 116 may be a plurality of devices electrically coupled to computing device 102 . Computing device 102 supplies power to external load 116 using main power supply 106 and/or standby power supply 108 . It should be noted, however, that in some embodiments, additional power supplies may be provided without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The standby power supply 108 may be configured to continuously supply power to the external load 116 and the main power supply 106 may be configured to supply power to the external load 116 only when the switch 110 is closed. Alternatively, the standby power source 108 may be disabled while the main power source 106 is supplying power to the external load 116 . In some embodiments, external load 116 may vary the amount of energy required to operate external load 116 . Specifically, external load 116 may transition from a power level that may be powered by standby power supply 108 to a power level that is higher than that of standby power supply 108 . As a result, switch 110 may be activated, thereby enabling main power source 106 to supply power to external load 116 .

Detector 112 is electrically coupled between main power supply 106 and external load 116 and is configured to enable the main power supply to supply power to external load 116 and reduce any burden on standby power supply 108 . For example, when computing device 102 is in a sleep mode or hibernation mode, primary power supply 106 will typically not be activated. However, a user may connect external load 116 to computing device 102 during sleep mode or hibernation mode, causing system management controller 104 to activate primary power supply 106 . In some embodiments, connecting external load 116 may cause system management controller 104 to deactivate standby power 108 and activate main power 106 simultaneously or sequentially. Although primary power supply 106 may be activated to accommodate functions related to external load 116 , primary power supply 106 may not be configured to provide power to external load 116 . Accordingly, the standby power source 108 will be left with the burden of supplying power to the external load 116 . To reduce the load on the standby power supply 108 , the detector 112 will detect the output (eg, voltage, current, and/or power output) of the main power supply 106 and compare it to output thresholds accessible to the detector 112 . If the output of the main power source 106 has reached the output threshold, the detector 112 may send an output signal to the switch 110 to activate the switch 110 (eg, open or close the switch). In some embodiments, the detector 112 will compare the output of the main power supply 106 to the output of the standby power supply 108 and cause the switch 110 to activate when the output of the main power supply 106 is greater than the output of the standby power supply 108 . The main power supply 106 and the standby power supply 108 may be configured to have different output levels to allow for a more efficient comparison of the respective outputs at the detector 112 . For example, main power supply 106 may be a 12 volt power supply and standby power supply 108 may be an 11 volt power supply. It should be noted, however, that the main power supply 106 or the standby power supply 108 may be any suitable voltage that will cause the detector 112 to detect a difference when both power supplies are operating.

As a result of the comparison at the detector 112 and activation of the switch 110, a conductive path will be created between the switch 110 and the external load 116, thereby enabling the main power supply 106 to supply power to the external load 116. Switch 110 may be opened or closed to provide a conductive path between main power source 106 and external load 116 . Additionally, switch 110 may close when the output of main power supply 106 approaches or exceeds an output threshold defined by detector 112 . Otherwise, the switch 110 may be configured to remain open or deactivated when the switch 110 does not receive an output signal from the detector 112 . In some embodiments, switch 110 is a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) or any other suitable electrical switch.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system 200 for intelligently switching between power sources for computing device 102 based on signals measured between external load 116 and standby power source 108 . The signal may include voltage, current, or power supplied from the standby power source 108 to the external load 116 . To measure the signal, sensor 202 is electrically coupled between standby power source 108 and external load 116 . Sensor 202 may include voltage, current, and/or power sensing circuitry to determine the energy burden borne by standby power supply 108 as a result of powering external load 116 . Sensor 202 may be configured to output a signal to system management controller 104 to activate main power supply 106 under certain conditions. For example, sensor 202 may be configured to output a signal to system management controller 104 when the output of standby power supply 108 reaches a sensor threshold stored or accessible by sensor 202 . The sensor threshold may correspond to a maximum voltage, current, and/or power that the standby power supply 108 should not exceed in order to prevent the standby power supply 108 from malfunctioning or shutting down. Additionally, in some embodiments, sensor 202 may be configured to track the output of standby power supply 108 over time and determine whether standby power supply 108 has operated in a particular output state for a period of time equal to or greater than a threshold period of time. In such an embodiment, the sensor 202 would send a signal to the system management controller 104 to enable the main power source 106 to assist the standby power source 108 . Activation of the main power supply 106 may result in closing of the switch 110 after the detector 112 detects that the main power supply 106 is providing an output. Thus, the output from the sensor 202 may indirectly cause the switch 110 to close and the main power supply 106 to supply power to the external load 116 . In some embodiments, the sensor 202 may be configured to cause the standby power source 108 to be turned off in order to protect the standby power source 108 . For example, sensor 202 may be configured to shut off standby power supply 108 when the current drawn by external load 116 from standby power supply 108 exceeds a maximum current threshold associated with standby power supply 108 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a system 300 for intelligently switching between at least three power sources for a computing device 102 based on an external load 116 connected to the computing device 102 . System 300 can include a system management controller 104 that can enable main power 106 , sleep power 302 and standby power 108 . Each power supply may be activated based on the operating mode that computing device 102 is in and whether external load 116 is connected to computing device 102 . For example, the system management controller 104 may activate one or more of the main power supply 106, the sleep power supply 302, or the standby power supply 108 depending on how much power is required by the external load 116. For example, system management controller 104 may turn on standby power supply 108 exclusively when external load 116 requires only a low level of power (eg, 5 watts or less). Additionally, the system management controller 104 may turn on the sleep power supply 302 either solely or in conjunction with the standby power supply 108 when the external load 116 requires moderate levels of power (eg, between 5 and 25 watts). Additionally, system management controller 104 may turn on primary power supply 106 solely or in conjunction with standby power supply 108 and/or sleep power supply 302 when external load 116 requires high levels of power (eg, greater than 25 watts). It should be noted that the power supplies discussed herein may be connected to other devices, systems or subsystems of the computing device 102, although the wiring for such connections is not explicitly shown in the figures.

Computing device 102 may be powered exclusively by standby power supply 108 when computing device 102 is in standby, sleep, or hibernation mode. However, when the external load 116 is coupled to the computing device 102 or otherwise increased during sleep mode, the sleep power supply 302 and/or the main power supply 106 may be enabled to assist in powering various operations associated with the external load 116 . Operation does not necessarily require powering the external load 116 directly from the sleep power supply 302 and/or the main power supply 106 . Accordingly, various devices and modules may be included in the computing device 102 in order to enable the main power supply 106 and/or the sleep power supply 302 to provide power to the external load 116 . Specifically, each of the main power supply 106, the sleep power supply 302, and/or the standby power supply 108 may be electrically coupled to one or more sensors and comparators. In this manner, each of main power supply 106 , sleep power supply 302 , and/or standby power supply 108 may be configured to power external load 116 depending on one or more of its respective outputs. For example, external load 116 may receive power from one of the power supplies based on whether one of the power supplies is operating and/or based on whether the output of one or more of the power supplies is at or above a particular threshold.

Computing device 102 may include a plurality of comparators configured to respectively compare outputs of a plurality of power supplies. Specifically, the first detector 304 may be configured to compare the output of the main power supply 106 to the output of the standby power supply 108 or a first output threshold. The second detector 308 may be configured to compare the output of the sleep power supply 302 to the output of the standby power supply 108 or a second output threshold. In some embodiments, first detector 304 and second detector 308 are comparators or any other suitable electronic devices or circuits for comparing electrical signals. The first and second output thresholds may be associated with current, voltage or power values that cause either the first detector 304 or the second detector 308 to depend on how the inputs to the comparators relate to their respective associated with the output threshold and outputs a logic high or low value. For example, the second detector 308 may output a logic high value to the control logic 312 when the output of the sleep power supply 302 has reached or exceeded a second output threshold of the second detector 308 . Additionally, the first detector 304 may output a logic high value to the control logic 312 when the output of the main power supply 106 has reached or exceeded the first output threshold of the first detector 304. When the control logic 312 receives a logic high value from the first detector 304 , the control logic 312 may close the first switch 316 . By closing the first switch 316 , a conductive path will be provided between the main power source 106 and the external load 116 , enabling the main power source 106 to supply power to the external load 116 . Similarly, when the control logic 312 receives a logic high value from the second detector 308 , the control logic may close the second switch 314 . By closing the second switch 314 , a conductive path will be provided between the sleep power supply 302 and the external load 116 , thereby enabling the sleep power supply 302 to supply power to the external load 116 . The circuitry defining the various switches and comparators can be configured in a low power arrangement in order to reduce the effects of any transients during switching between power supplies. In this way, a user of computing device 102 will not experience any interruption during operation of computing device 102 .

The first output threshold of the first detector 304 may be set such that the first detector 304 outputs a logic high value when the main power supply 106 is at or near its normal operating voltage. In addition, the second output threshold of the second detector 308 can be set such that when the sleep power supply 302 is at or close to its normal operating voltage, the second detector outputs a logic high value. In this manner, the auxiliary standby power supply 108 powers the external load 116 when either the sleep power supply 302 and the main power supply 106 are running or otherwise ready to output their respective operating voltages.

The standby power supply 108 may also be assisted when the current provided by the standby power supply 108 to the external load 116 has reached or exceeded a current threshold. For example, second sensor 310 may be configured to measure the output current of standby power supply 108 and output a logic high value to control logic 312 when the output current exceeds a second sensor threshold of second sensor 310 . Additionally, the first sensor 306 may be configured to measure the output current of the sleep power supply 302 and output a logic high value to the control logic 312 when the output current exceeds a first sensor threshold of the first sensor 306 . Thereafter, when the output current of the standby power supply 108 exceeds the second sensor threshold of the second sensor 310 , the control logic 312 may cause the second switch 314 to close and enable the sleep power supply 302 . In this way, the sleep power supply 302 may assist the standby power supply 108 when the output current of the standby power supply 108 exceeds the second sensor threshold of the second sensor. Additionally, the control logic 312 may cause the first switch 316 to close and enable the main power supply 106 when the output current of the sleep power supply 302 exceeds the first sensor threshold of the first sensor 306 . In this manner, the main power supply 106 may assist the standby power supply 108 and/or the sleep power supply 302 when the output current of the sleep power supply 302 is at or above the first sensor threshold of the first sensor 306 . In some embodiments, the second switch 314 may be opened by the control logic 312 when the first switch 316 is closed in order to protect the sleep power supply 302 from operating outside of its intended current specification. This can further ensure that the sleep power supply 302 will be available as a backup if other power supplies fail. Additionally, in some embodiments, control logic 312 may communicate with system management controller 104 to enable power through system management controller 104 .

Each of the power supplies discussed in this article can be configured to operate according to specific power specifications. The main power supply 106 may have a greater power specification than the sleep power supply 302 , which may have a greater power specification than the standby power supply 108 . For example, the standby power supply 108 may be a 5 watt power supply, the sleep power supply 302 may be a 25 watt power supply, and the main power supply 106 may be a 450 watt or 900 watt power supply. In addition, the main power supply 106 can provide an output voltage that is greater than the output voltage of the sleep power supply 302 , and the output voltage of the sleep power supply 302 can be greater than the output voltage of the standby power supply 108 . In this way, the comparators discussed herein can better differentiate between the outputs of each respective power supply. For example, in some embodiments, the standby power supply 108 is an 11 volt power supply, the sleep power supply 302 is an 11.5 volt power supply, and the main power supply 106 is a 12 volt power supply. The detectors and/or comparators discussed herein may also have a detection tolerance, therefore, the output voltage of each power supply should have at least a voltage difference equal to or greater than the detection tolerance. For example, for a given detection margin of a detector, the output voltage difference between two power supplies electrically coupled to the detector should be at least equal to the detection margin. Additionally, as discussed herein, each power supply can be electrically coupled to a voltage divider circuit to modify its respective output for further defining the threshold of the comparator.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for intelligently switching on a power source to power a load connected to a device during a standby power mode. Method 400 may be performed by any suitable device or module, such as computing device 102 , system management controller 104 , or control logic 312 as discussed herein. Method 400 may include a step 402 of transitioning the computing device into a standby powered mode. The standby powered mode may be entered when the computing device is idle, when a user instructs the computing device to enter the standby powered mode, or when the computing device otherwise determines to transition into the standby powered mode. At step 404, an external load is received at the computing device. An external load may be any suitable electronic device or component capable of being powered by a computing device. At step 406, power is supplied to the load from the standby power source. Additionally, at step 408, a determination is made regarding whether the main power supply or the sleep power supply is providing at least a threshold voltage, as discussed further herein. If the main power supply or the sleep power supply is providing at least the threshold voltage, at step 410, one or more of the main power supply or the sleep power supply may be configured to power an external load, as discussed herein. Otherwise, step 408 is repeated while the computing device is in standby powered mode.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for powering an external load from one or more power sources based on the current demand of the external load. Method 500 may be performed by any suitable device or module, such as computing device 102, system management controller 104, or control logic 312 as discussed herein. Method 500 may include a step 502 of transitioning the computing device into a standby powered mode. At step 504, an external load is received at the computing device. At step 506, power is supplied to the external load from the standby power source. At step 508, a determination is made regarding whether the current provided from the standby power supply to the external load is at or above a current threshold. If the current is at or above the current threshold, at step 510, the external load is powered from the main power supply and/or the sleep power supply. Otherwise, step 508 is repeated until the current is at or above the current threshold, or the computing device exits the standby power mode.

6 illustrates a method 600 for disconnecting one or more power supplies from an external load based on whether a memory device or a human interface device is connected to a computing device while the computing device is in a standby power mode. Method 600 may be performed by any suitable device or module, such as computing device 102 , system management controller 104 , or control logic 312 as discussed herein. Method 600 may include a step 602 of transitioning the computing device into a standby powered mode. At step 604, an external load is received at the computing device. At step 606, power is supplied to the external load from the standby power supply and the main power supply and/or the sleep power supply. At step 608, a determination is made as to whether the external load is memory or a human interface device. In some embodiments, this determination may also include a query related to the size of the memory, wherein step 610 is performed if the memory is not above a certain memory threshold. For example, in some embodiments, the memory threshold is approximately 60 gigabytes or any other suitable memory size. In other embodiments, the determination at step 608 may also include a query related to the number of human interface devices (HIDs) connected to the computing device, wherein step 610 is performed if the number of human interface devices is less than the total HID threshold . For example, in some embodiments, the total HID threshold may be a total of two HIDs connected to the computing device. Otherwise, with respect to step 608, if the memory device and the human interface device are not connected to the computing device, then at step 610, the main power supply and/or the sleep power supply are disconnected from the external load. Otherwise, if the external load is a memory device or a human interface device, then step 606 is repeated. In this way, the external load can be powered exclusively from the standby power source when the memory and HID are not connected to the computing device. Alternatively, the external load may be powered exclusively from the standby power supply when the external load is a memory device not above a certain memory threshold or when the external load is one or more HIDs totaling less than the total HID threshold. In some embodiments, step 610 may include powering the external load exclusively from both the standby power supply and the sleep power supply.

FIG. 7 illustrates a system 700 for determining defects in a computing device based on measurements made at one or more bus bars of the computing device. System 700 includes main power supply 106 of computing device 102 electrically coupled to a plurality of bus bars. Specifically, the bus bars include a first bus bar 702 , a second bus bar 706 and a third bus bar 710 . The main power supply 106 may be electrically coupled to the respective bus bars by one or more screws or any other suitable mechanism for securing electrical connections. During assembly of the computing device, the securing mechanism may be installed improperly, thereby causing an increase in impedance at the bus bar to which the securing mechanism is coupled. As a result, sub-par voltages will be experienced at the bus bars, leading to system failure and downstream reliability issues. Environmental factors such as humidity, dust particles, shock, vibration, and exposure to corrosive gases can further increase the impedance at the bus bar over time. To address these issues, the impedance of each bus bar can be sampled over time to provide the computing device with a measure of how the impedance is changing. In this manner, the computing device will be able to determine whether to shut down certain portions of the computing device or enter a safe mode in which the computing device sleeps and displays a warning message to the user when the user attempts to wake the computing device.

Impedance measurements may be performed using one or more sensors separately electrically coupled to each bus bar. First sensor 704 may be coupled to first bus bar 702 , second sensor 708 may be coupled to second bus bar 706 , and third sensor 712 may be coupled to second bus bar 710 . Each sensor can be included on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), each of which can be uniquely electrically coupled to the bus bars. The sensors may be current sensors, voltage sensors and/or power sensors, which take measurements at the respective bus bars according to a predetermined sampling rate. The sensor may include an analog-to-digital converter configured to take samples according to a predetermined sampling rate. In some embodiments, the sampling rate is 1 millisecond, but this value can be adjusted to any suitable value for measurements at the bus bar. Additionally, the sampling rate may be different for each sensor at each bus bar. Each sensor may include an amplifier to amplify the signal measured from the bus bar for more accurate calculations of impedance. The sensors may be controlled by a system management controller 104, which may be on the same or a different PCB as one of the sensors. System management controller 104 may receive measurements from each sensor on each of the plurality of PCBs. Using this measurement, the system management controller 104 can calculate the voltage, current or power consumed by each PCB. When the impedance of a bus bar increases, spikes or transients will be common in voltage, current and/or power measurements. The computing device may be configured to respond to each spike, or to track the number of spikes over time, so as to respond to trends in the spikes rather than to each spike individually. The computing device's response may be in the form of a notification to the user. For example, a user may be warned to inspect and restore a computing device rather than continue to operate it in a compromised state. In some embodiments, the computing device may force itself into sleep powered mode, then allow the user to wake it up, and thereafter be forced into sleep powered mode again or display a warning message. In other embodiments, the computing device may shut down in response to detection of a spike or a trend of the spike over time. For example, the computing device may not respond immediately if several spikes occur during a short period of time (eg, 1 hour) followed by no spikes for a long period of time thereafter (eg, 12 hours).

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for determining whether a computing device is improperly assembled based on measurements taken at one or more bus bars. Method 800 may be performed by means or software modules within a computing device, such as system management controller 104 . In other embodiments, method 800 may be performed by an external device during or after manufacture of the computing device. At step 802, the computing device transitions into an idle powered state. In this way, the load on the power supply can be kept low for consistent measurements at the bus bars coupled to the power supply. At step 804, current, voltage, and/or power measurements at one or more bus bars of the computing device are sampled during the measurement period. The measurement period can be short so as not to interrupt the user experience. For example, in some embodiments, the measurement period may be 15 seconds or 30 seconds, or any other suitable period of time that does not interrupt the user experience. At step 806, the maximum and minimum values of the samples are determined for the bus bars. At step 808, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is compared to a predetermined tolerance. If the difference is equal to or greater than the tolerance, then at step 810 the computing device or the system analyzing the measurements indicates that the computing device is not properly equipped. The predetermined tolerance may be any suitable value for distinguishing normal voltage spikes from spikes that occur as a result of incorrect fitting. For example, in some embodiments, the predetermined tolerance may be approximately 0.25 volts. However, this value can be modified to be smaller or larger depending on the power supply or computing device connected to the bus bar. At step 808, if the difference is not greater than or equal to the predetermined tolerance, step 804 may be repeated until the computing device transitions out of the idle power state. Otherwise, method 800 can be terminated after a full measurement period has occurred. Thereafter, the measurement period may occur again the next time the computing device enters the idle powered state. In some embodiments, each bus bar is associated with a different subsystem of the computing device. For example, one or more of the bus bars may be electrically coupled to a main logic board of a computing device, a PCB including a central processing unit or a graphics processing unit, or any other PCB having one or more input and output devices.

9 is a block diagram of a computing device 900, which may represent components of the computing device 102 discussed herein, the system management controller 104, or any other suitable device for implementing the embodiments and methods described herein. It will be appreciated that the components, devices or elements shown in and described with respect to FIG. 9 may not be mandatory, and thus some of them may be omitted in certain embodiments. Computing device 900 may include processor 902, which represents a microprocessor, coprocessor, circuitry, and/or controller for controlling the overall operation of computing device 900. Although shown as a single processor, it will be appreciated that processor 902 may include multiple processors. The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functions of the computing device 900 described herein. In some embodiments, processor 902 may be configured to execute instructions, which may be stored at computing device 900 and/or may be otherwise accessible by processor 902 . As such, whether configured by hardware or a combination of hardware and software, processor 902 may be capable of performing operations and actions in accordance with the embodiments described herein.

Computing device 900 may also include a user input device 904 that allows a user of computing device 900 to interact with computing device 900 . For example, user input devices 904 may take a variety of forms, such as buttons, keypads, dials, touch screens, audio input interfaces, visual/image capture input interfaces, input in the form of sensor data, and the like. Still further, computing device 900 can include a display 908 (screen display), which can be controlled by processor 902 to display information to a user. The controller 910 may be used to interface with and control different devices through the device control bus 912 . Computing device 900 may also include network/bus interface 914 coupled to data link 916 . Data link 916 may allow computing device 900 to couple to a host computer or accessory device. Data link 916 may be provided through a wired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wireless connection, network/bus interface 914 may include a wireless transceiver.

Computing device 900 may also include a storage device 918, which may have a single disk or multiple disks (e.g., a hard drive) and a storage management module that manages one or more partitions (also referred to herein as "logical partitions") within storage device 918. roll"). In some embodiments, storage device 918 may include flash memory, semiconductor (solid-state) memory, or the like. Still further, computing device 900 may include read only memory (ROM) 920 and random access memory (RAM) 922 . ROM 920 may store programs, codes, instructions, applications or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. RAM 922 can provide volatile data storage and store instructions related to components of the storage management module configured to perform the various techniques described herein. Computing device 900 may further include data bus 924 . Data bus 924 may facilitate data and signal transfer between at least processor 902, controller 910, network interface 914, storage device 918, ROM 920, and RAM 922.

The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used alone or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of computer readable storage media include read only memory, random access memory, CD-ROM, HDD, DVD, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable storage medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. In some embodiments, computer readable storage media may be non-transitory.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

Claims (20)

1. for enabling a control circuit for the connection of primary power, it is characterized in that, described control circuit comprises:

Signal detector, described signal detector is configured to by the output of standby power compared with signal threshold value, and wherein, described signal threshold value is based on the output of voltage divider being electrically coupled to primary power; And

Switch, described switch electric coupling is between primary power and load, and wherein, described switch is configured to when the output of primary power is more than or equal to signal threshold value closed.

2. control circuit according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described voltage divider is configured to reduce the output of primary power and the output reduced is supplied to the comparer of described signal detector.

3. control circuit according to claim 1, is characterized in that, standby power and primary power are configured to when the switch is closed, simultaneously to described load supplying.

4. control circuit according to claim 1, is characterized in that, comprises further:

Sensor, described sensor electrical is coupled to the output of standby power, and wherein, described sensor is configured to the output sensor signal when the output of standby power meets or exceeds sensor threshold value.

5. control circuit according to claim 4, is characterized in that, comprises further:

System controller, described system controller is configured to receive described sensor signal, and provides to primary power and enable signal, to start primary power.

6. control circuit according to claim 4, is characterized in that, primary power is configured to the Power operation higher than standby power.

7. control circuit according to claim 4, is characterized in that, primary power is configured to close at switch another load supplying that forward direction is electrically coupled to primary power.

8. a computing system, is characterized in that, comprising:

Standby power, described standby power is electrically coupled to sensor, and described sensor is configured to measure during the standby mode of described computing system from the output of standby power; And

Controller, described controller is electrically coupled to described sensor, and wherein, described controller is configured to when described output meets or exceeds output threshold value, receive from the sensor signal of described sensor, and enable primary power with to the load supplying being attached to described computing system movably.

9. computing system according to claim 8, is characterized in that, described output is that electric current exports, and described output threshold value is the current threshold of the peak point current representing standby power.

10. computing system according to claim 8, is characterized in that, comprises further:

Signal detector, wherein, enables primary power and causes described signal detector closed electrical to be coupling in switch between primary power and described load.

11. computing systems according to claim 8, it is characterized in that, described controller is configured to determine whether described load is memory devices, and when described memory devices has the capacity being equal to or greater than the addressable storer threshold value of described controller, provide to primary power and enable signal.

12. computing systems according to claim 8, it is characterized in that, described controller is configured to determine whether described load is one or more human interface devices, and when the sum of human interface device meets or exceeds the addressable threshold value sum of described controller, provide to primary power and enable signal.

13. 1 kinds, for enabling the computer implemented device of the connection of primary power, is characterized in that, described device comprises:

For from standby power to the parts of the load supplying in computing equipment outside; And

For the parts of Closing Switch, described switch be configured to the output of primary power meet or exceed export threshold value and standby power just at the same time to described load supplying time, between primary power and described load, provide conductive path.

14. computer implemented devices according to claim 13, it is characterized in that, described computer implemented device is configured to be at least functioning in normal power supply pattern, and the power consumption of described computer implemented device in standby power mode is less than in normal power supply pattern.

15. computer implemented devices according to claim 13, is characterized in that, described output threshold value is limited by the bleeder circuit and detecting device being electrically coupled to primary power.

16. computer implemented devices according to claim 13, is characterized in that, comprise further:

The parts that when having met or exceeded current threshold for exporting at the electric current of standby power, receiving sensor exports; And

For exporting the parts of change-over switch based on described sensor.

17. computer implemented devices according to claim 13, is characterized in that, comprise further:

For inputting and the parts converted from standby power mode to receiving user during described load supplying from primary power and standby power simultaneously.

18. computer implemented devices according to claim 13, is characterized in that, comprise further:

For determine described load memory size and when memory size is equal to or greater than memory size threshold the parts of change-over switch.

19. computer implemented devices according to claim 13, is characterized in that, comprise further:

The parts of cut-off switch when exporting under threshold value for dropping in the output of primary power.

20. computer implemented devices according to claim 13, it is characterized in that, described output threshold value is less than or equal to the operating voltage of standby power.